The inaugural Enugu City International Marathon, which aims to become the largest road race in southeastern Nigeria, has been hit by a press boycott following a public withdrawal by the Enugu State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The marathon scheduled for May 3, 2025 is expected to attract over 100 elite runners from around the world, including top Nigerian athletes, as part of a broader vision to position Enugu as a hub for global sports tourism and community engagement.
However, the event has become mired in controversy after SWAN Chairman, Gideon Iwueke, raised concerns about the handling of its media coordination.
Iwueke claimed the press briefing was organised without the involvement of the association, prompting him to distance the association from the event entirely.
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“It is quite unfortunate that this marathon press briefing is becoming very controversial,” Iweke said.
“I just received an invitation and was informed it wasn’t coordinated by the ministry. This seems like a calculated attempt to divide the media.”
He added that SWAN remains united and would not lend official support to the marathon. “Anyone attending is doing so in their personal capacity,” he concluded.
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The fallout has led to a widespread pullout by sports journalists, casting doubt over media coverage for what was intended to be a landmark event in the region’s sporting calendar.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the event organisers nor the Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports had released an official statement addressing the boycott.
